Nicaragua and Más

Sorry for the delay in writing this post—it’s incredible how busy three weeks can be. But where to even start… the major couple things that have happened is starting my ethnographic study and our group trip to Nicaragua.

For my ethnographic study, I am spending 2 days a week at a special needs school and 2 days at a hospital. The school, Prepase, mostly focuses on children with cerebral palsy. For the duration of the semester, I will be in the physical therapy room, because there is not an official room for nursing. This week, I observed as the physical therapist worked with a 2-3 year old and later an 8 year old. Already, it has been a blast to be around these kids. Even though the ones I was with, in specific, were unable to talk, seeing their smiles and generally joyful spirits was very rewarding. I am excited to observe there in the future. In addition, I have been observing in the maternity/delivery ward at the hospital, San Felipe. It has been quite the experience. So far, I have witnessed a couple C-sections and several births. After seeing this, I think all mothers deserve a special shout-out for all that they go through to give birth. Sometimes, the labor and delivery room is very quiet and other times several women are about to give birth at the same time. The room is staffed with a pediatrician, nurses, doctors and other med students. I have enjoyed talking with some of the personnel such as the pediatrician. He has been trying to explain the different complications and necessary steps of action for unhealthy babies. For instance, after the one C-section, the baby had a problem with her respiration being too fast. In this case, we watched his different methods for helping the baby. The next day, we saw the baby in their neonatal unit. While I am unconvinced that labor and delivery will be my specialization of choice, I may enjoy the neonatal unit. Vamos a ver- I guess we’ll see.

The second eventful part was our 5-day trip to Nicaragua. We enjoyed a whole week of no classes and let me tell you—that was a Godsend. After the week before of getting up to catch the bus at 6 am every day for ethnographic studies, I needed a break. It seems a bit crazy to me that while Nicaragua is fairly close, the landscape and such is very different. There are a lot less mountains and a whole lot more heat in Nicaragua. However, I was thankful for the opportunity of sunshine and warmth after our cold front in Santa Lucía. In Nicaragua, we went to the cities León, Grenada, Masaya, and Managua. Much of the architecture was very beautiful. The buildings are constructed in the same style as those in Spain. But some highlights from that trip include:

·      Swimming off the beach of private islands on a really big lake

·      Zip-lining: there were about 11 different platforms and one time I even went upside down

·      Touring various museums and the cities

·      Bargaining in the local market

·      Watching a parade with traditional dances

·      Watching local break dancers and musical groups at dinner (specifically a handsome youth who sang to us like J-Biebs for free)

But while I loved all of this, I was glad to get back to Santa Lucía. The other day, I was talking and without thinking, referred to this place as home. That is what it has been for the past month and a half and that is what it will continue to be. Since I have been here, I have grown a lot. Yesterday, my professor was talking to someone in our group, and I heard my name. When I asked, she simply said that my Spanish and my confidence in using it have improved dramatically since the beginning of the semester. That was a huge affirmation for me. Overall, it has been a great little bit and I have enjoyed it fully.

Prayer request:

• Health- I was slightly sick this weekend after Nicaragua
• Continued growth in relationships
• To not fail my final for Spanish history
• For learning what God has for me in my ethnographic studies

1-Month Mark

It has now been exactly one month in Honduras, and I thank God for every day that I have been able to be here. Every day is a different adventure. In the past couple of weeks, we had classes and a whole bunch of other random things. We took a trip to La Florida- not to be confused with Florida in the United States. But La Florida is a small town about 6 hours away from Santa Lucia by bus. We actually passed very close by El Salvador and could see some of the country from our drive in the mountains. We stayed there for about 5 days and painted murals in a Health Center and School. I personally helped with butterflies and flowers, because I’m not actually that artistic. Others in the group helped create Noah’s Ark and other smaller murals. Later I was able to help clean and reorganize the storage room for medicine. It was actually interesting to see the different antibiotics in their storage closet and I even recognized some of them- they were very close cognates to the English version.

            From there, we traveled another 5-6 hours in the school bus to a huge lake, where we were able to take rowboats out on the water. Nearby there were waterfalls that we went and visited. With a guide, we walked behind/through the waterfall, which was absolutely incredible to experience. We also got the chance to go cliff jumping. Don’t worry! It was not from the top of the waterfall! The cliffs were on the side. Of the three different ones, I think the highest was around 25 feet, but it’s hard to actually estimate. At the bottom of the falls, there were the most stunning double rainbow due to the mist. Overall, that has been my favorite touristy destination since coming here. Sadly, I couldn’t actually take any pictures because of all the water.

            This past week, we have been at the university in classes. We visited the hospital, where I will be starting my ethnographic study next week. That is just a fancy label for observing in the hospital. The hospital is definitely different from those in the United States. The part that we toured sort of reminded me of the waiting area of a train station: a ton of people, not overly sanitary, and like will-call booths where you sign up for appointments. Also it surrounded a small courtyard that did not have a roof. But I’m excited to start that next week. I think it will be an amazing experience. Also, I started my first class in the university yesterday! Unlike what I thought previously, I am now taking art appreciation instead of music. However thankfully, the professor today said that he wanted to make this an interesting class and not just a history class. Also thankfully, I could actually understand him pretty well. I think this class is going to be pretty good.

Okay so what have I learned and how have I seen God? Well, I’ve learned that patience goes a long way. You won’t know everything- that’s for sure. Our class schedules are a great example. I literally found out that I was taking art appreciation the day before class started. Our professor for Spanish History is another. He can talk quite rapidly, which is not fun in class, but he’s a person with a story too. He came with us on our trip to La Florida, because there are 22 students and only one program director. Apparently he came from a poorer background, so everything we did was new for him. I could have guessed beforehand that many things would be new experiences, but one kind of hit me out of the blue. He swung on a swing for the first time. I didn’t really realize before what it meant to have all your time and money put towards education in hopes of having a better life. It was also really cool to visit CCI- International Christian Community/Church. I don’t really remember overly what the acronym stood for. During the service, they talked a bit about churches worldwide with which this church is connected. Although I didn’t understand everything, it was much more like a church service that I am used to (in comparison to Catholic mass) and had a more modern feel. It made churches around the world slightly more real for me. There is an entire Christian community in every country of the world. In Grand Rapids, I often forget that other places exist. However, when I was experiencing close to the same thing as in the United States, but in Spanish, it hit me.

Alright seeing as this is quite long, I will end now with a few prayer requests. My mamá here hurt her back and the doctor told her that she should be on bed rest for 2-3 days, so for her to heal quickly and be free of pain. Also continued health and safety for the group. For me to learn the most that I can from the classes I am taking in the university (whether actual class material or from the people I am with). To have open eyes, mind, and heart as I start the ethnographic study. To continue to grow deeper in my relationship with Christ.